THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH45. ♙d6 ♟xd6

Isla

< You're bleeding too much.> I ignore Shay, my mind still churning and my thoughts chaotic. Pain helps, and even though this is the most coherent I've ever been while in the cold, I'm fearful that I'm still walking a fine line and am one step away from losing myself completely.

The last time I was out of control, it took weeks for me to return to myself. Images of waking and digging myself from the shallow grave. To enduring my first heat, and finally, when Shay and my brother could no longer keep me contained, the delicious moments of stalking my prey until I could extract my penance flash in my mind.

I can still feel his heart.

Fighting the monster within has taken its toll on me over the years, both physically and mentally. Each time I've lost control, I've felt my humanity slipping further and further away to the point where the last time, no one thought I would ever come back. 

It was only the presence of my sister that gave me the strength to fight one more time.

But this time is different. In the past, it was always me and then the monster, separate and never one, this time, we have become united and of one mind. Even if the transition still had its bumps, I feel more like myself with each passing second while still holding onto the strength of my true self.

< It's because of him, isn't it?> Shay asks, and while his tone is neutral, I know he is far from happy with the bond I share with Alexander.

<Not now,> I don't have time to unpack what this means, my heart still raw from the betrayal. Right now, I need to focus on retrieving the box from the apartment and getting my family to safety. 

<You need to go that way,> I incline my head in the direction of the White Room, then tap my earpieces, <Liz has everything ready.>

<Where are you going?> Shay glares at me, his eyes telling me that he is going to be stubborn. 

<Help my brother, I won't be long.> Griffin is at least a minute behind us, traveling at only half his normal speed while he carries his mate. Shay's blue eyes flash with amber, and I know he's not happy with the request, but he will do as I ask. 

It was not a request.

Not wanting to waste more time, I take the left path and run.

Liz thankfully has the doors to the apartments open as I round the final bend. I'm hyper-focused on my task, and the cold prevents any unwanted emotions from penetrating the thick shield I have around my mind. Only Ale- No. I bend my wrist and sigh when the sharp lick of pain intensifies.

Re-channeling my attention, I move to the room my parents shared and go straight to their wardrobe. Oтец, in his grief, left all of Máthair's belongings exactly where they were the day she died. However, he did box up the items he procured for the child she was carrying, which remain in the rear of their closet. Locating a backpack, I take clean clothes for Ava and Ciara, as well as some items for the baby, then move to the loose floorboard under their bed. I believe, over time, Oтец became aware of Máthair's hiding spot, and before we left, we removed everything of importance, except a singular key that I had removed from Oтец's office that unlocked the safe in the playroom.

For years I'd carried the guilt of not retrieving the contents before Griffin, and I left the Under, but now I can make amends and give my sister some of the answers I know she's been asking. I also believe that it may contain information about the other.

Locating the key, I hear Liz's voice through the earpieces. "Maverick, our firewall has been breached."

With the key held tightly in my hand, I push myself up from the floor and move to the screen embedded into the wall at the end of the master bed. Powering it on, I request Liz to show me what areas are now affected, and my heart drops at what I see on the screen.